Improvement in locks for pipe-couplings



GEORGE A. MCILHENNY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCKS FOR PIPE-COUPLINGS. p

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,396, dated J annary 2, 1872..

To all whom 'it may concer/lt:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. McILHnN- NY, of Washingtomin the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Locks for Pipe-Coup- Figure 1 is alongitudinal cross-section of my device when open. Fig. 2is across-section ot' the same when in position about the coupling.

Fig. 3 is a top plan of the same, and Fig. et is a plan view otanother method of hinging the parts of the device. 'A 4 4 The specialf object of a lock for pipe-couplings, and particularly for gas-pipe couplings, is to secure itin place in such a manner that it cannot be removed and replaced by unauthorized persons Without leaving some evidence 'ot' such removal and replacement.

As is Well known, frauds are constantly being practiced upon gas companies by unprincipledA consumers, who, between the monthly examinations of the meters by the agents of the companies, uncouple or disconnectthe pipes and use the gas direct from the service pipes without allowing it to pass through the meter and afterward replace these connections before they can be detected. In order to prevent this v fraudulent consumption of gas I have modified the construction of my patented lock above mentioned so that it can be secured in place by means of a pin held in place by wax impressed with the companys seal.

The case or shell A of the lock is constructed\as described in my patent of July 5, 1870, above referredfto, except that the free ends D and E of the Jsemicircular parts B and C are also made semicircular, but Without any inwardly-projecting tlan ges, such as are upon the parts B and C, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the ends D and E are circular partitions or plates G and H forming a part of the same, and so arranged that when the lock is clasped about the coupling-nut the Acircular plates Cr and H will lap byeach other and a circular opening,', in eachco'me directly in line, so that a broad-headed pin, I, may be inserted, as clearly shown in Fig. 2; at the same time the ends, when thus brought together, form a cup above the pin-head, into which war;l is poured in a melted-state and the seal of the company impressedthereon', as shown in Fig. 3.

The operation, mode of applying, and utility of this improved device or lock is obvious.

When applied about the coupling connecting the gas-pipes with those passing through the meter, and then fastened by means of a pin held in place by the companys seal, it cannot be removed without breaking this seal; nor can it be replaced Without using the' seal 5 both of vwhich acts can only ,be performed lawfully by a person duly authorized by the company.

It is obvious that' the halves of the lock, instead of being hinged together, as in my previous patent, andas shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be hinged or connected, as shown-in Fig. 4, or in any other manner that will allow the parts to be opened and closed readily.

Thile the case orV shell with the improvement above described is specially intended to prevent the fraudulent consumption ot' gas, yet it is obvious that it maybe applied with advantage to all kinds of pipe-couplings when it is desirable to detect im proper tampering with the same, and that it may be constructed of any form or size required to embrace thecoupling.

Havin g thus described my invention, what I claim is A lock for pipe-couplings, constructed substantially as herein described, in combination with a seal ot' wax or its equivalent, as and for the purpose herein set forth.

GEORGE A. MOILHENNY.

Witnesses:

. H. B. MU'NN, 

